septuagenary

Definition

  1. Adjective:

    • Seventy years old: "septuagenary" describes someone or something that is seventy years of age.
    • Relating to seventy: It can also refer to a period of seventy years.

  2. Noun:

    • A person who is seventy years old: "septuagenary" can be used as a noun to denote an individual of that age.
Usage Examples

  • Adjective:

    • My grandmother is a septuagenary woman who still hikes every weekend. (She is seventy years old.)
    • The septuagenary anniversary of the founding of the town was celebrated with a parade. (The 70th anniversary.)

  • Noun:

    • The club is open to all septuagenaries in the community. (People who are seventy years old.)
    • He is a sprightly septuagenary who runs marathons. (A person aged seventy.)
Advanced Usage
  • "Septuagenary" is a formal or literary term, often used in contexts of age-related descriptions or historical anniversaries. It is less common than the synonym "septuagenarian," which is more frequently encountered in modern usage.
    • The septuagenary poet published his memoirs at the age of seventy. (A formal description of a seventy-year-old poet.)
Variants and Related Words
  • Septuagenarian (adj/n): a more common variant meaning the same thing — a person aged between 70 and 79, or relating to that age group.
    • The septuagenarian couple celebrated their golden anniversary. (The seventy-year-old couple.)
  • Septuagesimal (adj): relating to the number seventy, often used in mathematical or calendrical contexts.
    • The septuagesimal system is based on multiples of seventy.
Synonyms
  • Seventy-year-old: a straightforward, informal synonym.
    • A seventy-year-old man joined the gym.
  • Septuagenarian: the standard modern term for a person in their seventies.
    • The septuagenarian won the senior golf tournament.
Idioms and Related Phrases
  • There are no common idioms directly involving "septuagenary," but it may appear in formal contexts like:
    • "The septuagenary milestone": referring to the age of seventy as a significant life event.
      • Reaching the septuagenary milestone, she decided to retire. (Turning seventy.)